CZECH REPUBLIC. Prague Ruzyne International airport has reported a record 814,000 passengers in July, a +13.5% year-on-year increase.
According to Czech Airports Authority (CAA), 3.1 million passengers passed through Prague airport in the first six months of 2003. In spite of the negative impact on travel during the SARS crisis and war in Iraq, this represents a growth of +6.4% year-on-year.
CAA general director Martin Kacur commented: “The results for the first half year show that once again more passengers went through Prague airport than last year at the same time, in spite of the uneasy times which airline transportation the world over is going through. Thanks to the active business policy of Czech Airport Authority, the demand for connections to Prague is continually increasing and is succeeding in strengthening the position of Prague airport as the largest airport in the countries entering the European Union.”
Prague also strengthened its position in terms of airline networks in the first half. The number of destinations served has increased – both for Czech Airlines as well as international carriers – including low-cost airlines such as Germanwings, Volareweb.com and Snowflake. Direct connections to Newark (US), Newcastle (UK) and Yerevan (Armenia) were opened to passengers for the first time from Prague.
In related news, CAA recently launched the Europa project – the construction of terminal north 2 at Prague airport – which will increase the handling capacity to 10 million passengers when completed at the end of 2005.
Kacur commented: “The terminal north 2 connecting building will significantly improve the quality of passenger services, as it will offer new dining and retail space in the area of approximately 1,400sq m (15,064sq ft).”
